The morning after the race, the town was littered with athletes limping around which was incredibly humorous to watch, especially since I could relate. At the awards ceremony that night I drank a delicious Longboard beer from the Kona Brewing Company and was invited on stage to receive an award for winning my age group. Of course I sported my OTF Multisport Chobani cycling jacket and received a bunch of questions asking what exactly Chobani was…only the most delicious Greek yogurt ever!!

I traded my Chobani jacket for a World Champion jersey and raised that hard-earned trophy bowl (the Hawaiian name escapes me now) over my head, smiled for the cameras, and congratulated my fellow competitors on the podium. I quickly returned to join my family and friends and watched the rest of the age group winners and pros take the stage.

Post-awards I headed to the K Swiss after party. Imagine all of your heroes and role models having a great time in a confined bar area. Now imagine that bar on the beach in Kona, HI. I had the honor and privilege of meeting some of the world’s finest athletes, pros and amateurs alike. This finished off the most amazing weekend of my life and one that I will never forget (thanks to this blog-as many of my family members know I have an awful memory).

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

No part of my experience in Kona would have been possible without all of the help, support, and encouragement from my friends and family. Thinking about everyone who traveled to Kona and who were in Kona in spirit gave me so much strength to draw from during the race. I was overwhelemed by the number of messages people sent me wishing me well for the race and congratulating me on finishing. My friends and family from Top Dog Cycle even threw me a surprise party when I returned home!! Huge shout out to my uncle Peter, Ulises, and Natalia for organizing it and the rest of the TDC family for coming out for drinks, cake, and wings :)

And finally, a huge congratulations is in order for all of the finishers!!! You are an IRONMAN!